The Gaganyaan Mission is India’s first human space flight programme. Its formal announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independent Day speech on August 15, 2018. Gaganyaan showcases the indigenous prowess of the county in its space exploration endeavours. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the Gaganyaan mission in 2025. After Gaganyan’s success, India will become the fourth nation to send a crew into space after the former Soviet Union, the United States, and China.
India’s First Human Space Flight
The primary purpose of the Gaganyaan mission is to demonstrate human space flight capability by sending a crew of three members into a Lower Earth Orbit (LEO) of 400 km and ensuring their safe return to earth by landing in the Indian Ocean. The crew will be carried safely to space by a human rated launch vehicle, LVM3.[i] The Prime Minister has revealed the name of the astronauts to be a part of the Gaganyaan mission during an event held in Thiruvanthapuram. They are all Indian Air Force pilots who have been chosen after going through rigorous physical and psychological assessments.[ii]
Scientific and technological innovation
India’s Gaganyaan mission is to undertake experiments in microgravity, including research and innovation in the fields of medicine, biology, and material science.[iii] It also represents a remarkable technological advancement that includes the development of crew modules with life support systems for the earth-like environment, emergency escape provisions, and deceleration mechanisms for safe landing.[iv] This mission will also inspire the young generations to develop a scientific temperament, promoting innovation in space technology.
Nearly 100% ‘Made in India’ Space Project
India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission represents a significant milestone in the establishment of the country’s space research endeavours. During the Times Now Summit 2024, M. Sankaran the Director of the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) of ISRO, confirmed that “the space flight mission is now nearly 100% made in India.”[v]
Economic Implications
The Gaganyaan mission has the possibility to enhance economic activity within the country in terms of job creation and human resource development.[vi] It will provide a broader framework for collaboration among various space-based industries and start-ups and strengthen public-private partnerships in the space sector.
International collaborations
In the journey of carrying out its first-ever human space flight mission, ISRO seeks international cooperation on various aspects of the programme from several international space agencies. Russia is helping with the selection and training required for the mission, and France is providing assistance with its expertise in space medicine.[vii]
Conclusion
The success of the Gaganyaan mission will prove to be a turning point in India’s space exploration journey. It incorporates India’s ambition to be overall self-reliant on space technology. Gaganyaan showcases significant implications such as technological innovation, socio-economic development, India’s science diplomacy projection, and the fulfilment of strategic purposes. This mission will pave the way for India’s ambition to set up its own space station by 2035.
Endnotes
[i] Indian Space Research Organisation, “Gaganyaan,” www.isro.gov.in, November 23, 2022, https://www.isro.gov.in/Gaganyaan.html.
[ii] Samidha Jain, “Explained: India’s Gaganyaan Mission – Forbes India,” www.forbesindia.com, February 28, 2024, https://www.forbesindia.com/amp/article/news/explained-indias-gaganyaan-mission/91711/1.
[iii] tech2 news staff, “ISRO Looking at Pool of Ten Microgravity Experiments for Gaganyaan Mission 2022,” Firstpost, November 12, 2018, https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/isro-looking-at-pool-of-ten-micorgravity-experiments-for-gaganyaan-mission-2022-5536871.html.
[iv] ET Online, “Gaganyaan: ISRO Successfully Launches Gaganyaan Mission Test Flight after Aborting First Attempt – the Economic Times,” m.economictimes.com, October 21, 2023, https://m.economictimes.com/news/science/isro-successfully-launches-the-gaganyaan-mission-test-flight-after-aborting-first-attempt/amp_articleshow/104598778.cms.
[v] Divya, “Gaganyaan Mission Is Nearly 100% Made in India – ISRO Scientist Confirms,” Times Now, March 27, 2024, https://www.timesnownews.com/technology-science/gaganyaan-mission-is-nearly-100-made-in-india-isro-scientist-confirms-at-times-now-summit-2024-article-108816908.
[vi] HT Correspondent, “Cost, Benefits and Spin Offs: All You Need to Know about Mission Gaganyaan,” Hindustan Times, December 28, 2018, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cost-benefits-and-spin-offs-all-you-need-to-know-about-mission-gaganyaan/story-MmrX1WVsBkVN4b4Oda2yxM.html#google_vignette.
[vii] Express News Service, “Gaganyaan: International Collaboration Key in Manned Mission to Space,” The Indian Express, January 24, 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/gaganyaan-international-collaboration-key-in-manned-mission-6232349/.
By: Vishal Dixit, Research Intern, USI, CS3